Well, actually, I gave Jon M. from the OHOTMU:Redux the choice between this one and the one with the black background (below). In some ways, I think the black background is more fitting for the character of Death, while I do sort of like the orange background as it adds a little color and is closer to the original entry.

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Alas, I didn't think ahead enough to save step-by-step progressions. I created a 1,000 pixel x 1,500 pixel document with a black background. I then used 3 pixel hard, round brush with white color to create the scratchboard effect. I also went back over top with a combination of black brushwork and the Eraser tool to carve back some of the lines.

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Here's a detail of some of the scratchboard effect. I do like working on scratchboard quite a bit, and will definitely have to do some more digital scratchboard in the future.